JR Kyushu’s Hijatsusan Line resumes after year‑long shutdown

On July 12, 2026, JR Kyushu restarted train operations on the Hijatsusan line (the segment between Hayato and Yoshimatsu) that had been suspended since the summer of 2025 after heavy rainfall caused extensive damage to the tracks.

The line had been served by substitute bus routes for nearly 11 months. High‑school students from Kirishima High School thanked the bus drivers for their help, noting that the drivers delayed departures and offered encouragement when students risked missing school. The final bus run took place on July 10, after which trains began running again.